The Great 'O's

Usually, at this time of year Big C, the kids and myself would be descending on Ely Cathedral to revisit something that has become something of a family tradition; The Great ‘O’s. This is a ceremony that marks the start of Advent and appeals to me because of it’s ancientness and it’s quietness. I have hippy tendencies and Ely Cathedral ticks many of these earthy, paganesque type boxes. The Cathedral had it’s origins in AD 672, and - whilst the current building dates back to 1083, it is estimated that a ceremony such as this has been going on for about twelve hundred years. Awesome! Ely Cathedral itself says ‘The Church has always kept Advent as a season of great solemnity - a time in which to meditate upon the ultimate issues of death, judgement, hell and heaven. Advent, though, is also a time of great rejoicing……In the Middle Ages the observance of Advent became highly developed reflecting these themes, and therefore provided a vivid preparation for Christmas. Processions from west to east, and the use of lights, spoke of the Church's hope in….the Light of the world, to banish…darkness….The Antiphons are gathered together in the final hymn O come, O come, Emmanuel, which is sung as the procession withdraws. The service ends in quietness, but in confident hope…..’

I can sense that some of you - if indeed have read this far - will be recoiling from my apparent ‘plugging’ of Christmas; a Christian ritual imposed at a time when many of us have no faith, a different faith or are simply sick of the the relentless madness of the season, particularly in this year of all years. But that, my friends would be to miss the point. Firstly, you have to realise that in many ways, the Advent service is the antithesis of Christmas; there are many moments of silence, contemplation, and a meditation on something as simple as candlelight. The Christian calendar is precisely the way it is because it was super-imposed onto the Pagan one; it would never have been accepted otherwise. So this need for a quiet period of reflection before a gigantic Winter feast is as old as these inhabited islands. And the music; oh my goodness it does indeed feel other-worldly. Ely has a wonderful tradition of choristers, and this is a time for them perform in their full glory - using all the dimensions of this magnificent building. I remember one year, when the service started in complete darkness (it is dimly lit now, which I think is a shame) hearing angelic sonorities behind my head, only for these singers to be answered on the other side of the building by yet more angels. It is an experience that is almost impossible to replicate in any other space…

As someone who wavers between agnosticism and the beliefs of the Bahai faith, I have long contemplated the purpose of churches, which are so richly scattered across this landscape, and which, compared to my American and Australian cousins’ structures are almost unbelievably old. How do we inhabit these intimidating, cold, expensive spaces in the twenty-first century? A mammoth question, but to me performances such as the Great ‘O’s provide some of the answer. Many cathedrals are now embracing the arts in a way that is innovative; exhibitions, workshops and fabulous concerts. It matters that people are ushered in and are awe-inspired. I am told that the Church of England is losing congregations exponentially with one exception; attendances to evensong. These are increasing because people like them, need them even - particularly in a time of such disorientation. I would love to see churches allocate times where people can go in to meditate, clear the mind, breathe deeply. We have far too many distractions all the time, far too much ‘stuff’ going on, far too many things to do and far too few larger dwellings where people can find their own space. How good it would be to encourage people to step off the conveyor belt and have a period of time to ‘do nothing.’ I hope the curators of these ancient monuments are thinking about all of this; I expect they are. Financially they are more desperate than ever and only too aware of the need to cajole this diverse nation in.

Incidentally, you may be asking the question ‘how on earth do you persuade your children to go to this?’ A fair point; my children find the whole thing mind-numbingly tedious and are mystified as to why anyone would willingly give up a Sunday evening to be cold and bored. My response is always the same ‘Good. You don’t get bored enough in your life and you need to learn to manage this state. Besides, the music is lovely, the candles look beautiful reflected against the stonework and if you behave yourself I’ll buy you a pizza afterwards.’ Nobody ever said bribery wasn’t allowed……

Uplifting music of the day: ‘One by one’ from the Wynton Marsalis ‘Deja vu retro gold collection.’ Arguably the world’s greatest living trumpeter, Wynton smashes it with this. I have never heard another player with such great chops be able to move so easily between different genres. It is fitting also that parts of this album have his father Ellis playing with him. Apart from being an outstanding pianist himself, Ellis was respected as being one of the best teachers of jazz. He sadly died earlier this year of corona virus and now is a good time to check out his work.

Contemplative music of the day: ‘Lachrymosa’ from the Mozart Requiem. There is so much to absorb from this - Mozart’s final piece left unfinished before he died. It is said that he passed away during the composition of this movement in particular, making it all the more poignant. If you can find the time, try and listen to the whole thing.